Welcome to Coach Training #1

Intro - Outro

Welcome to Coach Training #1

​

• What is Odyssey of the Mind
• WPA Odyssey & Resources
• Workshop Breakout:
• Style - 1 hour session
• Long Term - 1 hour session
• Spontaneous - 1 hour session
• Balsa Problem #4 - drop in 9:00-11:00
• Wrap-up Q&A

The PPTs for these sessions are on our website VIDEO+ tab: https://www.wpaodyssey.org/videos

What Is Odyssey Of The Mind?

• International creative problem-solving program and competition for grades K-college
• Aligned with STEAM, Common Core, and 21^st Century Learner Skills.
• Teams can be found in over 35 states and over 25 countries
• Founded in 1978 by Industrial Design Professor, Dr. Sam Micklus, on the premise: CREATIVE THINKING CAN BE LEARNED

• What is Odyssey of the Mind

What Does An Odyssey Team Do?

• Solve a long-term problem which takes the form of an 8-minute skit-like presentation,
• Embellish their solution with style elements, and
• Practice 3 types of spontaneous problems and compete in one type… off-the-cuff!

All of the ideas and creations are the work of the team. Outsiders are not allowed to contribute to any part of the solution.

This is called Outside Assistance.

Teams are made up of no more than 7 students who work together to:

• What is Odyssey of the Mind

Division I (3rd-5th)

Division II (6th-8th)

Division III (9th-12th)

Choose one problem

Primary Problem

​

Primary Team (K-2)

One option

Problem 5

Performance

Problem 4

Structure

Problem 3

Classics

Problem 2

Technical

Problem 1

Vehicle

Verbal

Verbal/Hands-On

Hands-On

Spontaneous Problems

All Divisions

Practice 3 types – compete in one

Teams will:

• Solve 1 of 5 long-term problems based on their division
• Embellish their solution with style elements, and
• Practice 3 types of spontaneous problems and compete in one type… off-the-cuff!

• What is Odyssey of the Mind

What’s in a Problem?

• What is Odyssey of the Mind

Creative Competitions, Inc – Newell, NJ

WPA Region Problem Captains, Board, & Regional Directors,

Angela Melton & Susan Rosati wpaodyssey.org

PA Board & State Problem Captains

Led by David Palermo, Association Director

Creativity Unlimited in PA paodyssey.com

YOU: School, SD Coordinator, Coach, Judges, Volunteers, Students, Parents

Odyssey HQ odysseyofthemind.com

Sammy & Cheryl Micklus, Board & International Problem Captains (IPC)

Six regions in PA = PA State Association

Associations: States/Countries

LOCAL

​

​

​

REGION

​

​

​

STATE

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

HQ

WORLD

FINALS

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

wpaodyssey.org

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

Your home for all things West!

https://www.wpaodyssey.org/

Judge & Volunteer Requirements

​

​

1.  In order to compete in our Regional Tournament:

​

• Every TEAM must provide 1 trained Long-Term (Problem) Judge who will attend training and judge at the Regional Tournament.

​

• Every TEAM must provide 1 day-of Tournament Volunteer who will work a short shift on tournament day.

​

• Every MEMBERSHIP must provide 1 trained Spontaneous Judge who will attend training and judge at the Regional Tournament as per the following formula.

Memberships with 1-2 Teams need 1 spont judge.

Memberships with 3-4 teams need 2 spont judges.

Memberships with 5-6 teams need 3 spont judges, and so on.

2.  In order to compete in Spontaneous Fun Day:

​

• Every TEAM must provide 1 Spontaneous Judge who will attend training and judge at the event.
• Every TEAM must provide 1 day-of Tournament Volunteer to work the event.

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

Judge & Volunteer Requirements

3.  When teams advance to PA State Finals:

​

• Every TEAM must provide 1 trained Long-Term (Problem) Judge* who attended a Regional training and worked a Regional Tournament.

​

• Every School District/Entity with 1-2 teams going, must provide 1 Spontaneous Judge*… with 3-4 Teams going, must provide 2 spont judges… and with 5-6 teams must provide 3 spont judges, and so on

​

*NOTE: It is important to identify, before Judge Training day, Judges who will accompany your team to State Finals.

Any team/membership which does not provide TRAINED & EXPERIENCED Long Term and Spontaneous Judges to represent their team/membership at the Regional and State Tournaments could receive a penalty of up to 25 points.

4.  When teams advance to World Finals:

​

• There are no volunteer or judge requirements of advancing teams or memberships related to World Finals.

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

Teachers can earn 10 ACT 48 Credit hours through Odyssey by:

1. filling out the proper paperwork,
2. attending either IN-PERSON Coach Training or IN-PERSON Judge Training,
3. bringing a team to the Regional Competition as their coach, OR

3. volunteering at the Regional Competition as a Judge.

ACT 48 Credit for Teachers

https://www.wpaodyssey.org/act-48-credits

link for paperwork - please fill out and turn in to the Regional Director or your Problem Captain.

Teachers - Scan the QR code to register as seeking credit.

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

Recipients of our donor-funded grants have their registration and regional tournament fees covered, and receive a stipend to cover supplies. The average grant is worth $500!

Who’s Eligible? Pennsylvania schools and organizations only:

• New memberships
• Existing memberships that have not had a team compete in four years (If your school hasn’t competed since before the Covid-19 pandemic, you’re eligible to apply!)

Applications are due Dec. 1, 2025

About PA Odyssey of the Mind flyer (.pdf)�Share these flyers with administrators, parent organizations, school boards, and teachers!

Questions? We’re here to help! Email grants@paodyssey.com

PA Jump Start Grants

Your first year of Odyssey of the Mind is on us!

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

Angela & Susan: RegionalDirector.W@PAOdyssey.com

​

WPA Problem Captains and other Board Members Contact Page

​

Western PA Odyssey of the Mind: https://www.wpaodyssey.org/

​

WPA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPAOM

​

International Odyssey of the Mind (HQ): Odysseyofthemind.com

​

PA Odyssey of the Mind: PAOdyssey.com

Stay in Touch

• WPA Odyssey & Resources

• Workshop Breakout

• Q & A Wrap Up

• Round Robin #3 is 12/9/25, 7:00 pm zoom.
• topics?
• Now - register your team and coaches on HQ site. There is a tutorial.
• By Jan 15 deadline - register your team to compete at Regionals through the WPAOdyssey.org site, as well as judges & volunteers.
• Sign up to stay in the loop - for updates & events.
• Clarification: Problem 3 Judges WILL train on-site

What else?

What you might see at an Odyssey of the Mind Competition….�(keep scrolling)

Style Elements

Added scored elements that enhance the solution – a chance to showcase talents and skills.